Premier League Giants Already Facing Early Season Problems

The Premier League season kicked off with all its usual drama, but for some of England’s biggest clubs, the opening weekend raised as many questions as it answered. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa all stumbled in ways that highlighted cracks beneath the surface. Fans are already asking: are these teething problems, or signs of deeper trouble ahead?

Arsenal: A Press Gone Missing

Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United may look solid on paper, but the Gunners were second-best in nearly every department. Just 39% possession — something they rarely dipped to last season — told the story. United sliced through Arsenal’s press with ease, bypassing Mikel Arteta’s setup from goal kicks and piling on 22 shots.

On social media, Arsenal fans were torn: some delighted at grinding out three points at Old Trafford, others worried at how easily their usually sharp press was dismantled. “We can’t rely on scrappy wins all season,” one fan wrote on X. Arteta now faces a week of pressing drills his squad won’t soon forget.

Chelsea: Life Without Colwill

At Stamford Bridge, the mood was less forgiving. Losing Levi Colwill to a long-term ACL injury has left a gaping hole in Chelsea’s buildup play. Against Crystal Palace, Enzo Maresca’s side looked blunt, with Cole Palmer struggling in a central role. Fans are already debating whether Palmer should return to the wing — the space where he thrived at the Club World Cup.

Maresca hinted at new signings, but Chelsea supporters are wary of another big-money gamble. “We’ve spent enough. Time to coach what we’ve got,” was a common sentiment on fan forums. The pressure to adapt quickly is already on.

Liverpool: Searching for Balance

Liverpool may have beaten Bournemouth 4-2, but the scoreline flattered them. New boss Arne Slot has overseen huge changes — with Trent Alexander-Arnold gone and nearly £200 million spent on reinforcements — but the team looks far from settled. Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez in particular appeared lost in their roles.

The solution could be simple: bring back Ryan Gravenberch. After suspension, his return would bring balance to a midfield where Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have been stretched too thin. Fans on Merseyside are calling it already: “Start Gravenberch or risk chaos.”

Aston Villa: Too Slow, Too Narrow

Villa’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle was less about grit and more about survival. Unai Emery’s midfield-heavy lineup couldn’t cope with Newcastle’s ferocious press, leaving Villa struggling to string passes together. With so many central players and little pace out wide, Villa looked predictable.

Supporters watching at home were quick to point out the lack of speed on the flanks. “We need width, or Watkins is going to be stranded all year,” one fan tweeted. Donyell Malen’s late cameo hinted at a fix, but Emery will need to balance steel with dynamism if Villa are to push for Europe again.

What It Means Going Forward

It’s far too early to panic — but also too early to ignore the warning signs. Arsenal need their press back. Chelsea must replace Colwill’s influence. Liverpool have to settle their midfield balance. And Villa can’t afford to be one-paced in a league this unforgiving.

The Premier League has a way of exposing flaws quickly. For these four clubs, the clock is already ticking.

Read More: Premier League Match Day 1 Takeaways 

Source:ESPN Africa 

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